Sash balance



Jan. 5, 1943.` A. M. snr/mm Y SAVSH BALANCE Filed Jam 10,1 1941 INVENTOR M 5mm# BY i l NWA-l- (ALLAH ,ATTORNEYS Patented Jan. 5, 1943 SASH BALANCE Arthur M. Starck, Springdale, Conn.

Application January 10, 1941, Serial No. 373,886

2 Claims.

'I'he present invention relates to window balance mechanisms and embodies more specifically an improved sash balance by means of which the exterior of a window sash may be rendered -readilyaccessible from the interior side thereof.

This invention is concerned, more particularly, with a form of sash balance commonly known as the spiral balance wherein the connection between the sash and jamb consists of telescoping members, one of which is of spiral form, to enable the sash to be easily adjusted to any desired position. This form of window balance is well known in the art and has heretofore been provided with a bracket to facilitate securing the sash to the balance mechanism. The bracket is hinged to permit hinged motion between the sash and the balance in the plane of the sash to facilitate the hanging of the sash and to prevent any tendency to bind.

Although it has heretofore been suggested to mount window sash in such fashion that they can be swung inwardly, this has been accomplished only with windows that are balanced by means of sash cords and sash weights and an object of the present invention is to provide a window mounting and balance mechanism by means of which the sash may be swung inwardly to permit the outer surface thereof to be readily accessible from the interior of the building.

A further object of the invention is to provide a mechanism of the above character wherein the balancing of the window may be accomplished by means of spiral mechanism now commonly used in the art.

The foregoing objects are attained by providing a particular form of connection between the spiral balance and the sash to which it is secured. The connection is such as to aiiord hinged movement of the sash not only in its own plane, but in a horizontal plane lying in the plane of the sash. The jamb structure of the window is formed to permit the hinged movement of the sashabout a horizontal axis in order that access to the exterior of the sash may be had conveniently and, in this fashion, not only are the advantages of the spiral window balance preserved, but, by a very simple mechanism, the spiral balance is further adapted to permit of ready access to the exterior of the sash, an advantage that has been long sought in the art.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent as it is described in further detail in connection with the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a View in front elevation, partly broken away and in section, showing a window balance constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 2 is aview in section, taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1 and looking in the direction of the al'IOWS.

Fig. 3 is a view in section, taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2 and looking in the direction of the aITOWS.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the connecting mechanism between the sash and spii ral balance. ,f

Fig. 5 is a View showing a modiiied form of the invention.

Referring to Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4, a window jamb is illustrated at I0 being provided with theusual parting stripv II and inner strip I2. The inner strip is formed in such fashion that it may be readily removed from the normal operative position shown in Fig. 3 to permit the sash to swing outwardly. To this end, it may be received in a groove I3 and urged outwardly by means of springs I4. When the sash is to be swung inwardly, the strip I2 is pushed into the groove I3 in order that the inward swinging movement of the sash is accomplished.

Within the jamb I0, a vertical groove 'I5 is formed to receive a spiral window balance I6. This balance is of well known form and is secured at I'I to the jamb. The lower end of the spiral element is provided with a hinged connection I8 by means of which a bracket I9 vis hingedly connected to the balance. The hinge connection I8 permits hinged movement of window sash 20 in the plane of the sash and with respect to the balance I6.

In connection with the foregoing structure it is to be observed that the window balance I6 is preferably mounted in the jamb II) as distinguished from prior practice wherein the balance has been mounted in a groove formed in the side of a sash.

In order that the sash 20 may be swung inwardly into the dot-and-dash position indicated in Fig. 2, the bracket I9 is connected to the sash by means of a pivot connection shown generally at 2| in Fig. l. This connection is formed by means of a pin 22 connected between a flange 23 on the bracket I9 and a similarly formed flange v24 on a sash plate 25. The plate 25 is secured to the bottom of the sash by means of screws 26 and is also preferably formed with anchoring pins 21. The flanges 23 and 24 preferably lie flush with the opposed faces of the jamb and sash, respectively, so that the sash 20 may be swung 2 inwardly about the axis of the pin 22 so that access to the exterior surface of the sash may be had conveniently as illustrated in Fig. 2.

In the form of the invention shown in Fig. 5, the bracket I9 is formed with a horizontally extending pin 28 which is received Within a sleeve 29, mounted in the bottom of the sash. The sleeve 29 is secured to the sash by means of brackets 30 and, in this fashion, the sash may be swung about the axis of the pin 2B in the same manner as that described in connection with the structure shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4.

While the invention has been described with reference to the specic embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawing, it is not to be limited save as dened in the appended claims.

1 claim:

1. Connecting mechanism adapted to connect a sash balance to a sash wherein the balance is relatively rigid against forces except in the directionpf the axis of the balanCasaidmechanism comprising a pivot pin, a pair of spaced `apart ears projecting from said pin, a hinge pin passing through said ears and one end of said balance at a right angle to the axis of said pivot pin and the axis of said balance to permit relative hinged movement therebetween in the plane of the sash, a bracket for receiving said pivot pin and permitting relative turning of said bracket and said balance about the axis of said pivot pin, and means to secure the bracket to the bottom of said sash.

2i. Connecting mechanism adapted to connect a sash balance to a sash, wherein the balance is relatively rigid against forces except in the direction of the axis of said balance, said mechanism 

